PAY ATTENTION: TUKO is in WhatsApp Channels now! Subscribe and read news in favourite messenger.
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla and nine other military officers perished in a tragic chopper crash on Thursday, April 18.
Ogolla was onboard the Bell Huey II helicopter that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) acquired from the United States of America in 2017, according to Africa Air.
The Bell Huey II is an upgraded version of the Bell UH-1H medium-lift helicopter produced by Bell Helicopter.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
The manufacturer noted that the helicopter was designed for deployment on versatile missions, including disaster relief, firefighting, military assistance, cargo, special operations, search and rescue.
Business Jet Traveller reported that the chopper costs $5.6 million (KSh 744.8 million) when its new.
The Bell Huey II has a roomy cabin that can carry up to 14 people and is equipped with mechanical and electrical components for crucial communications.
Besides its life-saving equipment, its sliding doors and 2,268 kg cargo lifting capabilities provide strong and quick support for in-flight activities.
Kenya's military is ranked 13th in the continent in terms of strength, with a power index of 1.7701, according to Global Firepower.
The country acquired F-16 fighter jets in 2019. As reported by Who Owns Kenya, Kenya became the first country in the region to own and operate the Lockheed Martin-made jet.
The Kenya Airforce operates two AH-1F Cobra attack helicopters acquired from Jordan. The acquisition came after Jordanian king Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein visited the country in 2016 and signed a military pact.
Nairobi got six Grob G120A basic trainer aircraft from Germany, the wealthiest country in Europe in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) also unveiled the American C-145 Skytruck valued at KSh 1.4 billion in April 2021.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
PAY ATTENTION: Help us change more lives, join TUKO.co.ke’s Patreon programme.
China's EV Execs Bullish On Western Pressure At Beijing Car Show
University Of Eldoret, EBU Team Up To Offer AI Courses At Subsidized Prices
Mombasa: KPA To Begin Collecting Vehicle Parking Fee, At Least KSh 26k Garbage Fee From Sea Vessels
Francis Ogolla was set to celebrate his first anniversary as CDF.
Features of Sh. 740 million helicopter that crashed, killed CDF Francis
Francis Ogolla: Features, Cost and Speed of Helicopter That Crashed